City schools consider software makeover
Toolbox
By SARAH HINCKLEY Herald Staff - Published: August 28, 2007
After nearly two decades of using the same accounting software, the Rutland City Public School District is looking to upgrade.
Chief Financial Officer Peter Amons wants to replace the current accounting system with Advance Data System, using a portion of the $180,000 recently received Microsoft settlement funds from the state.
Amons will present reasons for the purchase and the advantages of upgrading to the board of commissioners at 7 p.m. today during the regular meeting in the Longfellow Building.
For the last 15 to 20 years the school district has been using and periodically updating, an IBM AS-400 mini-computer, according to a written statement from Amons. The antiquated system, as far as technology goes, costs the district approximately $13,000 a year to maintain.
Coincidentally, this is also the cost of maintaining the new software, the statement said. The new system is expected to cost between $80,000 and $90,000, which includes software, training and maintenance.
The ADS system would be used by the business office staff, as well as other administrative staff involved with budgeting and purchasing. It will be capable of the following functions: general ledger, payroll, budgeting, accounts payable, purchasing, state reporting and the financial side of human resources, as well as cash, asset and grant tracking.
When Amons began exploring the ADS system a year ago, it was not being used by any districts in the state. There are now 14 supervisory districts, out of approximately 60, using the accounting system. There is not a deadline in place to begin installation of the system. The acquisition and implementation is pending board approval.
Schools within the district are scheduled to begin the school year today. All meetings are open to the public, recorded and televised on public access television.
Contact Sarah Hinckley at sarah.hinckley@rutlandherald.com.
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